Florida Catholic | Seminarian Dac Clement

Meet the Seminarian

Former physical therapist sees Mary Magdalen as a good patroness

Published: 11.30.07

Dac Clement, 36

Seminary: St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

School attended before seminary: Louisiana State University School of Allied Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy

Hobbies: Fishing, reading

FC: When was the first time you thought of the priesthood?

DAC CLEMENT: During my senior year of high school and my first year of college.

FC: Who influenced you to want to become a priest and how did that person influence you?

DAC CLEMENT: I was influenced by some of the Salesian priests and brothers who ran my high school, mostly by their example and involvement with the students.

FC: What is your favorite Scripture passage and why?

DAC CLEMENT: “We cannot of ourselves take credit for anything, for all our sufficiency comes from God” (2 Cor 3:5). Many times we fail to give credit to God for the things in our lives and try to keep the glory and praise for ourselves. This Scripture passage helps me remember that I must decrease and Jesus must increase.

FC: What are some of the most important parts of the discernment process?

DAC CLEMENT: In my opinion, some of the key points in the discernment process are prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in order to learn to quiet yourself long enough to allow God to speak, being still long enough to hear him speak, and, finally, being man enough to walk away from the world and follow his call to the priesthood or religious life if he is offering it to you.

FC: What advice would you give to someone considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life?

DAC CLEMENT: Enter into the discernment process, in your own way, with the Blessed Mother and ask her to accompany you and prayerfully guide you through this process. Then, find a good spiritual director and commit yourself to the discernment process.

FC: Who is your favorite saint and why is he/she your favorite?

DAC CLEMENT: While I have a devotion to many saints, my favorite would have to be St. Mary Magdalen because she is a great example of love and perseverance. When Peter and John saw that Jesus was not in the tomb and returned to the others, Mary Magdalen stayed and sought Jesus in tears, and she didn’t rest until she found him. She would be a good patroness for one discerning his or her vocation because if you are truly discerning, you won’t be able to rest until you know what God has chosen for your life.

FC: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned, spiritually, so far, while at the seminary?

DAC CLEMENT: That prayer has to be the foundation for any vocation. If you’re not striving to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, then how are you going to help others know him when you don’t know him yourself? Here is where perseverance plays an important role for the priest or religious.

FC: What do you look forward to the most when you become a priest?

DAC CLEMENT: Learning to be a true servant of God.

In cooperation with the diocesan Vocations Department, The Florida Catholic is periodically publishing a series of brief profiles of the men preparing for the priesthood in the diocese. For more information, visit the Vocations Department’s Web site at www.spvocation.org. E-mail the vocations director, Father Len Plazewski, at spvocation@aol.com. He also can be reached at 727-345-3452.

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Former physical therapist sees Mary Magdalen as a good patroness

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